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“You don’t go anywhere!”

I hear my father’s bellow, but I pay it no mind. I hold my face discreetly as possible as I quietly walk out of the office and into my car.

I have no other option now. That is clear. Josephine has to accept my proposal, or I am utterly doomed. I don’t like the idea of placing my entire fate in another person’s hands, but those are the cards I have been dealt.

She has to hear me out.

13

JOSEPHINE

Igo to work, same as always, the day after Aiden’s proposal. I need something to do to keep my mind off what he had asked, preferring to tell myself that I will have time later to figure all of it out. Keeping busy with work is usually what keeps my mind clear. It has always helped in the past, especially when it has come to financial issues and medical problems with my mother.

I cater to the customers and staff, starting to feel a bit lighter. My shoulder is a bit bruised from the accident, but not so much that it prevents me from doing my job.

I work most of the day when someone familiar walks in the front door. I am not expecting him as my mind has pleasantly drifted to the sweet sugary smells and orders from the shop.

“Hello.”

I look up from the cash register to see Aiden. Gorgeous, magnificent, fragrant Aiden.

My heart is a kettle drum, and I feel my knees get weak. There are customers behind him, so I motion to one of my coworkers to take over the register while I pull Aiden aside.

“What are you doing here?” I whisper with a classic retail-worker smile.

“I wanted to see if you had a chance to consider my offer.”

Customers look over at us, along with a few nosy coworkers. I take Aiden by the wrist and bring him to a booth, still with that plastic smile plastered on my face.

When we sit down, I notice how tentative he looks. He isn’t as confident as he was yesterday. I’m not sure if that is a good thing or not.

“I haven’t had enough time to think about it, Aiden,” I say, my smile melting away. “I have no idea why you would ask someone like me for something like that.”

Aiden frowns then tilts his head to the side. His radiant blue eyes strike me like an arrow.

“Why wouldn’t I ask someone like you?” He leans his elbows on the table earnestly. “You are stunning.”

I am tempted to roll my eyes, but the compliments settle in me more than I would have previously thought. His voice is velvety and deep. I hide my skin as it breaks out in goosebumps.

“I don’t mean that. I mean, I’m not convincing. I can’t convince a bunch of strangers that I’m your wife. I’m not the right woman for that.”

Aiden looks tired, and a part of me wants to reach out to him and give him comfort. But I have to stand my ground.

“Can I tell you about the idea a bit more? Then you can refuse me, outright. How is that?”

I sigh, then hold out my hand and gesture for him to go on.

He isn’t as animated as yesterday, and I swear I notice a fresh new bruise. One that isn’t from the accident.

“It will only be a few meetings, to get my dad off my back about marrying my ex,” he explains. “Then you are off the hook. I promise you, it won’t last very long.”

I drum my fingers against the table. I want to help him, but it all seems complicated. My attraction to him certainly isn’t helping.

“Aiden, I’m telling you right now, this isn’t right for me. I’m sorry about your situation, but it’s not right for me.”

I stand up from the table and force myself to return to work. A part of me expects, maybe even wants, him to grab my hand again. When he doesn’t, and I hear the front door close shut, I feel disappointment.

A minute later, my phone rings in my pocket. I excuse myself from customers and take it. It’s my father, and he is hysterical.

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